Antoine Restaurant - Feast on the best Lobster Thermidor on the island. We do all the work and you just enjoy fresh, local lobster in a rich sauce. Our Duck Montmorency features the finest duck in a sauce with cherries and cherry brandy. Jean-Pierre is French and Italian, so an Italian influence creeps into the traditional French cuisine. Seafood lovers will appreciate the Seafood Linguini: the freshest of local seafood in a creamy sauce over a bed of linguini. The Farfalle al Vitello features the tenderest veal, sautéed with fresh mushrooms over bow tie pasta. Our menu will tempt you and our wine list will thrill you, but remember to check out the different specials that Pierre-Louis prepares each night. Antoine Restaurant is on Front Street, pleasing patrons since 1978. It's a short walk from the pier or courthouse, so stop in and try the finest in traditional French cuisine in a relaxing waterfront setting Open every day from 11 am to 10 pm. / 119 Front Street, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles / phone (599) 542 2964

Citrus At Cupecoy - Feast on simple yet provocative French inspired creative cuisine at Citrus. Our chef, Jeffrey Kipp, draws from global influences to create the perfect combination of the subtle and bold. Selections from our menu are prepared using only the freshest ingredients and are served in a setting of casual island elegance. / 130 Lowlands, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles / phone (599) 545 4333

L'Escargot Restaurant - A bit of Paris in the tropics. This establishment has pleasing the palates of visitors and residents for over 30 from their colorful créole style home. They are one of the oldest restaurants under the same management on St. Maarten. As their name suggests escargot is their specialty. French cuisine is what they do best. The menu also includes fresh seafood, and their Thermidor (lobster) is the freshest anywhere, and it is local! / L'Escargot Restaurant, 96 Front Street, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles / phone (599) 542 2483

L'Oizeau Rare - L'Oizeau Rare is a lovely restaurant on the hillside at the edge of Marigot Harbor. Lunches include soups or light salads or a main courses for the landlubbers: lamb, beef, chicken, duck. Seafood lunches include snapper, salmon, shrimp, or a daily special. For dinner the chef prepares beef tenderloin in brioche, a chicken breast stuffed with lobster in a creamy hazelnut and allspice sauce, and roasted pigeon with foie gras raviolis. Be sure to check out the special boards. Fine cigars are available and a complete list of after dinner drinks including old rums, XO cognac, fine armagnac, and grappa. / Marigot Waterfront, Saint Martin, FWI / phone 590 87 56 38

Les Dunes - On Marina Port La Royale serving Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine in an opulent atmosphere every night from 7 until 11PM. A white tent extends our dining room out onto the marina. Tapestries separate the dining area into several private dining rooms. Enjoy an exotic mixture of foriegn flavors in a relaxed setting. Start with the flavors of the east: hummus (a chick pea paste), montabel (zucchini), dolmas (stuffed grape leaf), tabouli, khizii mrged (carrots with cumin), all cold and kebbe (lamb meat balls) and fatayers (cheese pâté), warm. Our mediterranean appetizers are just as interesting. Move on to a long-cooked tajine with lamb and prunes or a couscous royale that features chicken, lamb, meatballs and merguez sausages. We also have a complete Mediterranean menu featuring the light and lively cuisine of southern France. Our quail with vegetables in a pastry pocket never fails to please and there are many fish dishes. / Marina Port La Royale, Marigot, Saint Martin, FWI / phone 590 51 13 16

La Langouste - Serves both French and Créole cuisines. Famous for the quality of the meals, and it's attractive prices. You will be greeted at the door by Annie, also an island favorite. La Langouste serves the best lobster on the island. You can dine near the swimming on the fine beach of Flamand. / Plage des Flamands, St. Barthélemy, FWI / phone 590 27 63 61

Le Gaiac Restaurant - Located in the very upscale Le Toiny Hotel. The menu has a classic French Flavor, touched with Provencal and Créole accents. Famous for it's Sunday Brunch. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, overlooks the main pool and has a splendid view of the sea. The bar at the Main House is open 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. / Toiny, St. Barthélemy, FWI / phone 590 27 64 84